Jasmine lay down in the dappled shade, by an old tree with a knot half-way up the trunk. She curled her fingers around the side of her face, using her hands to block out the walls of the palace around her. If she did this, it was almost as if those walls didn't exist. She couldn't pretend that she was home, but she could pretend that she wasn't trapped in a palace with walls.
She sighed. She had tried slipping away once before, and that hadn't worked; she had been found out, and prevented. This time there would be no subterfuge. This time she should, perhaps, take it up with the King himself. Jasmine bit her lip, wishing it didn't need to come to this. The grass whispered as someone settled beside her.
"You know, if you put your hands around your face like this, you can't see any of the walls." She brought them down from around her face to clasp them over her belly. She turned to look at the man beside her, "Lief."
He looked at her.
"Lief, I am going to go home."
He opened his mouth, but Jasmine shook her head. "Please don't," she said. She looked back up at the sky, "It is just... I miss the Forests of Silence. I miss the old wisdom of the trees; I miss my nest, the fruits of the Forests. I miss not having to worry about what people will say, what they will think of me. I miss… Lief?"
He had turned his face away.
"Lief, I'm sorry. I just miss… my independence I suppose."
Lief stood up abruptly, looking at the walls of the palace. Jasmine frowned, and rose lightly to her feet, "Lief…" She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Please. I just want to go home."
Lief spun slowly around to face her; keeping his gaze fixed above her head. "Okay," he said softly, "If that is…"
"What, Lief?" Jasmine asked, resting her hand on his chest. She could feel the beat of his heart through her palm, "What is it?"
He looked down to her slowly. His eyes were sad as he considered the imp with the serious green eyes before him, "I just wish you thought your home was with me."
Jasmine's eyes widened as Lief bent his head to her, his eyes steady on hers. "Stay with me," he urged. "Please, Jasmine." He bent closer, until his lips were beside her ear. "You can't leave me. I love you."
Jasmine stepped backwards slightly, tilting her head to look up at him. The sun was behind him, catching on his hair. His dark eyes were wary as they contemplated her, almost as wary as she felt.
"You love me?"
Lief nodded once, refusing to break eye contact. "I… I always have... but I can't keep you caged here if you do not wish it – you may fly free if that will make you content. But know," he reached down to clasp her hands with his, "my home is where you are – nowhere else."
Jasmine bit her lip, and looked away, "Then what am I to do? I miss the Forests… but…" she smiled, stepping forward again to rest her head on his chest. "I love you too."
A/N: Woot... been a while, and quite a change from our Harry Potter Fanfics.
Just so you know... this isn't finished, and is a working progress. Be nice. Plz (pretty please)
